In Ontario, vibrant metropolises and historical landmarks make way for dense forest-covered valleys and the lush waterways of the Great Lakes to produce some of the most varied travel experiences that are as diverse as the population itself.
From the cultural communities of Southern Ontario to the untouched boreal forests in the north, the province is filled with new and exciting sights just waiting to be uncovered.
As a local explorer and your guide to Ontario, I am here to help you plan the ultimate visit to the Heartland Province. While there are countless sites to see, you can begin planning your itinerary with these 41 Ontario tourist attractions and famous landmarks that should be at the top of your bucket list.
1. Niagara Falls
Famed as one of the most striking natural wonders in the world, Niagara Falls is easily the most famous landmark in Ontario, if not all of Canada. Straddling the US-Canada border in southern Ontario, the falls actually consist of three individual falls.
The Horseshoe Falls are the most recognizable, but the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, just a little way down the river, are equally as beautiful.
Summer is the most popular time to visit this world-renowned tourist attraction, with the falls promising breathtaking views along a boat tour, observation deck, or a unique behind-the-fall tunnel tour.
While not as popular, visiting Niagara Falls in the winter yields its own unique attractions and activities.
2. CN Tower
Completed in 1976 as a communications and observation tower, the CN Tower has served as the iconic symbol of Toronto for nearly fifty years. Standing at 553 metres tall, the tower maintained several world records at the time of its completion and for many years after, including being the world’s tallest freestanding structure.
While many of its records have since been eclipsed, the CN Tower remains one of the most celebrated tourist attractions in Ontario, attracting nearly two million visitors every year.
Modern visitors can ascend its glass floor elevator to its observation deck, from which you can marvel as the streets of Toronto cower to your unparalleled city views. For an added thrill, you can even head out to the outer edges of the tower’s deck along the adrenaline-pumping EdgeWalk tour.
3. Parliament Hill, Ottawa
No tour of Ontario’s landmarks is complete without first visiting Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Making up the political heart of Canada’s federal government, this National Historic Site consists of its three famous Parliament Buildings and several surrounding buildings that date as far back as 1859.
Meanwhile, scattered throughout the complex are the iconic Centennial Flame, several statues depicting political figures, and the Peace Tower, from which you will enjoy some of the most surreal panoramic views of the surrounding city and Ottawa River.
4. Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
First opened in 1914, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto is the province’s premier museum containing artifacts exploring themes of ancient civilizations and natural history.
One of the largest museums in North America, the ROM is home to over 18 million artifacts found within popular exhibits that include the Age of Dinosaurs, a diverse World Cultures collection, and its impressive Biodiversity Hall.
A must-visit for any history lover, the museum is best enjoyed during the week to avoid the weekend crowds.
5. Algonquin Provincial Park
Founded in 1893, Algonquin Provincial Park is the flagship of Ontario’s Provincial Park system, which now consists of over 330 parks.
Over a century since its establishment, Algonquin remains one of the largest parks and continues to be Ontario’s playground of outdoor adventures, consisting of back- and front-country camping, breathtaking hiking trails, and unique kayaking routes.
Here, you can trek through the untouched landscapes of Central Ontario while spotting unique wildlife species that include moose, white-tailed deer, beaver, and black bears.
6. Thousand Islands National Park
Home to historic castles, cozy cottages, and isolated islands dotting the headwaters of the St. Lawrence River near Lake Erie, Thousand Islands National Park is one of the top destinations in Ontario for embarking on a maritime adventure.
Here lush landscapes blend with historic waterways for a unique adventure through your own personal storybook. Kayak or boat along the reflective waters of the river’s surface to iconic landmarks that include Boldt Castle, Rock Island, and Tibbetts Point Lighthouse.
7. Toronto Islands
While not quite as serene as the Thousand Islands, the Toronto Islands are more accessible from the city and promise 15 beautifully unique islands to explore. Here, you can hike or kayak through diverse ecosystems that include parks and beaches or visit exciting attractions, including the Centreville Amusement Park and the Toronto Islands Art Studio.
Several ferries connect the islands directly to downtown Toronto, making them a fantastic day trip destination or weekend getaway from the city.
8. Canada's Wonderland
Located less than an hour from downtown Toronto is Canada’s Wonderland – the country’s premier amusement park, home to some of North America’s most thrilling roller coasters and water park.
The park is open from May to October but yields the most exciting experiences around seasonal events, such as Halloween Haunt and Winterfest.
9. The Grand River
Spanning 300 kilometres from Grey County to Lake Erie, the Grand River is one of the longest rivers in Ontario and careens its way through some of the province’s most charming small towns.
You can kayak, canoe, or fish your way along the river or take a serene nature hike along its banks. While there are several access points along its length, the most popular sections are found near Kingston, Paris, and Elora, with the last being famous for its river tubing experience through its striking Elora Gorge.
10. Stratford Festival
While Ontario is home to some remarkable annual fairs and festivals, the Stratford Festival separates itself as one of the top Ontario tourist attractions. First held in 1953, the festival is an annual celebration of theatre with a focus on Shakespearean plays and features a great lineup of classic and modern productions between April and October.
While the festival is the town’s primary draw, the community itself is one of the most picturesque cities in Ontario, promising plenty of natural scenery, historic buildings, and thematic attractions based on the plays of The Bard.
11. Manitoulin Island
Surrounded by the inviting waters of Lake Huron, Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island in the world and is famous for its rich Indigenous cultures and breathtaking natural splendour.
Here, dramatic cliffs separate lush tree-covered landscapes from the lapping waves of the serene lake while charming cultural landmarks dot its countryside, including the Manitoulin Island Heritage Centre, the village of Little Current, and the stunning Bridal Veil Falls.
12. Pukaskwa National Park
Set along the northern shoreline of Lake Superior near Thunder Bay, Pukaskwa National Park is famed for its rugged landscapes consisting of dramatic cliffs lined by boreal forests and reflective waters.
Scenic hiking trails weave their way throughout the park to breathtaking viewpoints and unique ecosystems home to local wildlife species that include moose, wolves, and various birds.
13. The Grotto (Bruce Peninsula National Park)
Located just a short hike from Tobermory at the northern point of the Bruce Peninsula, The Grotto is a strikingly beautiful stretch of secluded shoreline that promises surreal outdoor adventures, swimming in its iconic waterhole and diving into its stunning seashore.
Despite being a beautiful stretch of untouched nature, The Grotto is easily one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ontario and can often become crowded during the peak summer months. As such, visiting early in the morning or late afternoon is the best time to visit to avoid the busy times.
14. Elora Quarry
Along with its picturesque gorge along the Grand River, the Elora Quarry is another one of the most beautiful Ontario tourist attractions located within the charming small town of Elora.
Known for its small turquoise pool surrounded by the limestone cliffs of a historic quarry, this inviting attraction makes for a unique destination for sunbathing, swimming, and picnicking.
15. Cheltenham Badlands
Despite being less than an hour’s drive from downtown Toronto, the Cheltenham Badlands provide an otherworldly landscape for a unique and far-off adventure. Famed for its red and orange sedimentary rock formations shaped by millennia of erosion, this Ontario tourist attraction makes for great photo ops at designated viewing areas.
16. Wasaga Beach
With 17 of Canada’s Blue Flag-awarded sites, Ontario has no shortage of beautiful beaches and marinas. While several make a good argument for being the best beach destination, there is only one that stands out as being a must-visit tourist attraction – Wasaga Beach.
Sprawling for 14 km along the southern shores of Georgian Bay, Wasaga Beach is the world’s longest freshwater beach and boasts unique coastal dune ecosystems where you will find abundant wildlife and bird species.
As a vibrant beach town community, Wasaga Beach is at its most popular in the summer months, with several seasonal festivals and beachside activities perfect for a weekend getaway.
17. Blue Mountain Resort
Set just a half hour drive from Wasaga Beach is the Blue Mountain Resort – Ontario premier tourist attraction for year-round activities and outdoor adventures.
In the winter, the resort becomes one of the province’s top ski and snowboarding destinations, while several trails open up for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Meanwhile, the summer brings its own collection of adventure activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and ziplining.
18. Rideau Canal
Completed in 1832 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, the Rideau Canal is one of the most historic sites in Ontario and is the last remaining testament to the province’s great canal-building period that is still in use today.
Stretching for over 200 km from Kingston to Ottawa, the canal is alive with outdoor activities throughout the year, from being a popular kayaking route in the summer months to freezing over into the world’s largest naturally frozen outdoor skating rink in the winter.
19. Casa Loma
One of Ontario’s most eclectic tourist attractions, Casa Loma, is a beautiful Gothic Revival-style castle first completed in 1914 that has since been converted into an open-air museum where guests can explore Toronto’s aristocratic past.
The famous heritage site consists of grand rooms, turrets, secret passages, and expansive grounds with lush gardens. It is open throughout the year but promises unique seasonal experiences featured within its event calendar.
20. Agawa Canyon
While accessible along a scenic road trip, Agawa Canyon is best enjoyed along the Agawa Canyon Tour Train. Embarking daily from Sault Ste. Marie between August and October, the train guides visitors through the dense forests, majestic waterfalls, and striking landscapes of the canyon while rewarding surreal views emboldened by the changing fall colours.
21. Flowerpot Island
Arguably one of Ontario’s most famous geological landmarks, Flowerpot Island in the Fathom Five National Marine Park is named after the iconic rock formations found along its land area. While they may resemble flower pots, these rock formations are formed over thousands of years of erosion and can only be accessed along a boat tour from Tobermory.
22. Wiarton Willy
Every 2nd of February, the groundhogs stir from their hibernation to determine whether we will enjoy an early spring or suffer an extended winter. While this tradition is practiced across Canada and the US, Ontario’s resident groundhog is known as Wiarton Willy.
Located in Wiarton, Bruce County, Wiarton Willy can be visited throughout the year. However, the best time to visit this popular Ontario tourist attraction and local celebrity is during the Wiarton Willy Festival, where the groundhog’s seasonal prediction is accompanied by live music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities.
23. White River
Set just outside Pukaskwa National Park, White River is a small town famed for its outdoor adventures throughout the wildernesses of Northeastern Ontario that surround it. The epitome of the Heartland Province’s natural beauty, White River has become one of the top Ontario tourist attractions for fishing, hiking, and wildlife spotting.
24. Diefenbunker
An eerie attraction that feels directly out of your favourite post-apocalyptic thriller, Diefenbunker is a former underground bunker intended to protect government officials during a nuclear attack that has since been converted into Canada’s Cold War Museum.
Located in Carp just outside of Ottawa, Diefenbunker is a massive facility that contains several exhibits that explore the complex’s original equipment, along with artifacts that uncover the country’s cold war history. Overall, it is one of the best Ontario tourist attractions for any history lover.
25. The Big Nickel
One of the more unique Ontario tourist attractions, The Big Nickel in Sudbury is a massive replica of a 1951 Canadian nickel and is the largest depiction of any coin in the entire world.
Completed in 1964, the iconic landmark has become a symbol of the city’s nickel mining history and can be visited by guests along a tour of the Dynamic Earth museum that explores themes of the province’s mining history and geology.
26. Slate Islands
Surrounded by the crystal clear water of northern Lake Superior and protected as a provincial park, the Slate Islands are famed for their natural beauty, which consists of unique geological rock formations and monumental waterways boasting a rich biodiversity.
While a little more challenging to access than many of Ontario’s other tourist attractions and island groups, the Slate Islands are the perfect destination for taking in the natural environment along a hiking, kayaking, or photography adventure.
27. Terry Fox Memorial
If you are visiting Northern Ontario, you have to stop by the Terry Fox Memorial in downtown Thunder Bay to pay your respects to the local Canadian hero who embarked on his Marathon of Hope in 1980 to raise awareness for cancer research.
The modern site consists of a large statue with panoramic views of Lake Superior.
28. Scenic Caves
Located near the Blue Mountains Resort, the Scenic Caves are another of Ontario’s most recognizable geological formations and consist of an exciting adventure park. Here, you can explore the eponymous underground cave network before ascending to the park’s treetop walk to enjoy panoramic views along a suspension bridge.
29. Point Pelee National Park
Reaching out for 15 sq km into the far reaches of Lake Erie, Point Pelee National Park is the southernmost tip of Canada’s mainland and boasts unique and diverse ecosystems that include wetlands, forests, and sandy beaches.
The park has become a paradise for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts and is home to several unique bird and animal species. The park is open throughout the year but is at its most abundant in the spring and fall when seasonal migrations see flocks of exotic birds pass through the region.
30. Fort York
Dating back to the early 19th century, Fort York has become an iconic landmark of Toronto’s military history and played an important role in the defence of the region throughout the War of 1812.
Today, the site is one of the best preserved military fortifications from the conflict and has become a popular Ontario tourist attraction thanks to its restored buildings and military exhibits, which can be explored along a guided or self-guided interactive tour.
31. Royal Botanical Gardens
Home to over 234,000 plants across over 300 acres of cultivated gardens, the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington is the largest and one of the most beautiful gardens in all of Canada.
Established in 1930, the complex is broken up into four distinct garden areas, which can be toured on over 27 km of nature trails that weave their way around the park and along its various ponds.
32. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
Found near the base of the CN Tower in Toronto, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada promises a breadth of marine adventures and is one of the most exciting Ontario tourist attractions in the big city.
The aquarium consists of over 20,000 aquatic animals found along a massive variety of expansive exhibits, with some of the most popular being the Shark Tunnel and the Jellyfish Gallery.
33. Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
Another must-visit Ontario tourist attraction in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest and most distinguished art museums in all of North America and contains over 90,000 works of art displayed over its permanent and rotating exhibits.
The museum’s high-profile galleries contain works that include major Canadian, Indigenous, and International pieces and promise one of the most exciting cultural things to do in Ontario.
34. Fort Henry
Arguably one of the most important military fortifications built during the War of 1812, Fort Henry occupied a pivotal strategic position along the northern shores of Lake Ontario and near the headwaters of the St.Lawrence River in Kingston.
An essential stop for any history lover, Fort Henry’s modern visitors can still explore this monumental complex that consists of original fort structures brought to life by live reenactments throughout the summer months.
35. St. Lawrence Market
Ontario’s small towns are home to some truly remarkable local farmers markets. However, one of its most historic markets can be found just a short walk from the Toronto Harbourfront.
First established in 1803, the St. Lawrence Market has grown into a massive tourist attraction where you will find over 120 merchants and farmers peddling their wares. Here you will find everything from fresh produce and artisanal products to international food vendors selling diverse flavours from around the world.
36. Hockey Hall of Fame
Set just a short stroll from St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto, the Hockey Hall of Fame needs to be added to your Canada bucket list. Commemorating achievements across Canada’s favourite pastime, the museum contains several interactive exhibits and artifacts that honor some of Hockey’s greatest players and accomplishments and is even home to the Stanley Cup Vault.
37. St. Jacobs Market
Another public market you need to add to your itinerary of Ontario’s top tourist attractions, the St. Jacobs Market holds the distinction of being the largest year-round farmers market in Canada.
Located in the former Mennonite town of St. Jacobs, the farmers market is home to over 300 vendors and is a great spot to browse through stalls of local produce, handmade goods, and unique products.
38. Killarney Provincial Park
Home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Northern Ontario, Killarney Provincial Park promises a welcome variety of outdoor activities, from hiking and canoeing to camping along the untouched landscapes of Georgian Bay’s northern shore.
Here, striking white granite ridges meet the reflective waters of the lake to produce some of the most picturesque vistas in the province.
39. Lake Superior Provincial Park
Protecting the region between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa along the southeastern shores of the largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior Provincial Park is a playground of outdoor adventures throughout its diverse landscapes that include dramatic cliffs, expansive forests, and breathtaking vistas.
Founded in 1944, the park contains several superb hiking trails weaving their way throughout the protected land and leading to iconic landmarks that include Agawa Falls and Peat Mountain.
40. Fort William Historical Park
Located just outside of Thunder Bay in Northern Ontario, the Fort William Historical Park recreates the 19th-century headquarters of the North West Company and is one of the largest open-air museums in North America today.
The site consists of interactive tours, reenactments, and demonstrations that have made it one of the top Ontario tourist attractions for history lovers.
41. Ambassador Bridge
Completed in 1929, the Ambassador Bridge is a key international crossing connecting Windsor Ontario to Detroit Michigan. While there isn’t much to do as far as activities, the Ambassador Bridge is one of the most celebrated international landmarks and is responsible for about 25% of trade between Canada and the United States.
Combined with a picturesque waterfront that accentuates the towering American skyscrapers just across the Detroit River, the Ambassador Bridge makes for a fantastic attraction in Southwestern Ontario and some memorable photo ops.
Other Posts You May Like
While these are Ontario’s 41 most famous tourist attractions, they are also just the tip of the iceberg. Check out these other posts as you plan your trip to Ontario, Canada.
